Reality Check Nation Radio Show

The United States has been fighting a losing war against drugs for decades. Budgets have increased dramatically over the last two decades and drug-related incarcerations consistently reach new records yet drug problems worsen: adolescent drug abuse is increasing, overdose deaths are at record levels, heroin and cocaine are cheaper, more pure and more available than ever before, and health problems related to drugs, especially the spread of HIV/AIDS are mounting. Meanwhile an expensive and ineffective international counter narcotics policy entails growing human rights and environmental costs. Drug problems can be reduced at less cost if we change course and adopt strategies that work. At a time when the federal budget is limited programs need to be re-evaluated. Funding needs to go to programs that work. We need new ideas to save lives – we can't afford to continue to be wrong.

Teens are not one hundred percent of our population, but they are one hundred percent of our future. The statistics on poor choices some teens make are staggering. The solutions to the problems our teens face are not necessarily difficult to implement, but parents need to know how to access them and get support to follow through. And teens need to know they are loved regardless of those poor choices. Each week hosts Sean Mulroney and John Martin interview parents, teens, celebrities, sports stars, and experts who have been affected by the dangerous consequences of bad choices. Sean and John cover the issues that people often candy coat, not by just revealing the problem, but by focusing on pursuing a solution. They strive to care and make a difference in every listener’s life. Tune in every Monday from eleven a.m until two p.m. to Reality Check Nation, here on Westplex News Talk 1280.

Reality Check Nation fulfills the promise of "getting real on every level". The 2-hour radio program features stories, advice, inspirational insight, and gets right to the point. It spares no details about the gruesome effects of growing problems in this generation such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and harmful practices such as bullying, self-injury, and much, much more. It's funny, serious, educational and filled with attitude. Each week the hosts Sean Mulroney and John Martin interview parents, teens, celebrities, sports stars, and experts who have been affected by the dangerous consequences of bad choices. Sean and John cover the issues that people often candy coat, not by just revealing the problem, but by focusing on pursuing a solution. They strive to care and make a difference in every listener’s life. Reality Check Nation targets pre teen, teens, parents, and families and the rapidly growing list of advertisers interested in connecting with the largest group of teens and parents in U.S. history.

What is Sex Trafficking? The Federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act defines the crime of human trafficking as: The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act where such an act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age. Domestic minor sex trafficking occurs when a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident minor are commercially sexually exploited. Children can be commercially sexually exploited through prostitution, pornography, and or erotic entertainment. Commercial aspects of the sexual exploitation is critical to separating the crime of trafficking from sexual assault, molestation or rape. Commercial sex act is the giving or receiving of anything of value (money, drugs, shelter, food, clothes, etc.) to any person in exchange for a sex act. The age of the victim is the critical issue, there is no requirement to prove force, fraud, or coercion was used to secure the victim’s actions. The law recognizes the effect of psychological manipulation by the trafficker, as well as the effect of threat of harm which traffickers/pimps use to maintain control over their young victims. Now that we have all the legalese out and defined, we can start talking about the Who, What, Where, Why, and Hows. Who are the victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking? Kids are especially susceptible to the deception and manipulation of traffickers. Traffickers recruit at locations that commonly attract youth, like schools, malls, parks, protective shelters,and group homes. Over 1.68 million American kids run away each year and become targets for traffickers. About 85% of DMST victims have experienced contact with the child welfare system, according to a New York Study. Boys and girls can be victims and the number one factor of vulnerability is the child’s age. Human trafficking in the U.S. is a $9.8 Billion industry. At least 100,000 US children are exploited in prostitution every year in America. Thirteen years old is the average age a child is first exploited through prostitution. The traffickers are called pimps and more than 90% of victims are under the control of a pimp. Pimps commonly sell girls for $400.00 an hour or more. I have seen the research indicating that the majority of pimps control about 1-5 girls and can sell the girls several times a day. This has become more profitable than selling drugs. We need to protect our children, It can, has and will happen in our backyard.

Teen violence is a heart issue not a hardware issue If we don't listen to teens, they'll do something to be heard and that something could be an act of violence. Teen violence is a very real occurrence, and violent crimes are committed by teens regularly. Thirty-two percent of kids, according to a 2011 survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, admit to having taken part in a physical fight. Whether you have concerns about bullying, verbal insults, physical aggression or the use of guns, teen violence is something no one should tolerate. Violence on our public school campuses is increasing at an alarming rate. It has been a loud noise ringing through our schools and in the ears of teenagers that are on edge. It seems as though teenagers have no concept of the value of life; from the school yard shootings, gangs, bullying, dating violence and the list goes on. With the violence so out of control, we have to get the youth of America to start taking a stand against the violence in America and silence the violence.